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Tagetes minuta Linnaeus (Asteraceae) as a Potential New Alternative for the Mitigation of Tick Infestation

Renato Andreotti, Marcos Valério Garcia, Jaqueline Matias, Jacqueline Cavalcante Barros and Rodrigo Casquero Cunha

Ticks are hematophagous parasites of most vertebrate animals and can transmit various pathogens. After
mosquitoes, ticks are considered the most prevalent group of ectoparasitic arthropods to transmit pathogens to humans and rank first in the transmission of agents that cause disease in animals. The primary tool used to control these ectoparasites is the use of chemical products; however, resistance to several of these chemical compounds has already been reported in various locations worldwide. Considering this reality, several studies of plant extracts have been developed aiming to identify new compounds that are able to control ticks. In this context, the essential oil of Tagetes minuta may be a promising alternative in the control of some species of ticks. T. minuta is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the family Asteraceae and is popularly known in Brazil as “cravo-de-defunto” or wild marigold. In this review, we highlight four species of ticks that are considered important for both animal and public health in Brazil. Here, we address the methods of tick control to provide a foundation for new studies and highlight the use of phytotherapeutic T. minuta as a promising alternative in the control of these ectoparasites.